Slides in this set

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Donne and many other poets at the time...· Were fascinated by the subject of death, they were charmed by its mysterious allure and convinced of the afterlife (as implemented by Christian ideology)· But Donne seemed to have found it difficult to settle on one set view on `death'· He'd go from addressing it directly, indirectly, significant and fearful or deeming it insignificant.…read more

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Death and Religion· In many of his poems death and religion go hand in hand.· To die was to become a step closer to God and Judgement day· He points out that at the end of the day, when you die you are leaving others and you have also been left by others before them. Physically you die alone but spiritually you have your faith and God by your side.· Donne doesn't seem to conventionally fear death, as his belief in the afterlife muted these fears but he does change his views to death a lot.· In Holy Sonnet 10, he looks at the lack of power in death but in Holy Sonnet 17, he seems to be on another search to find out what he feels about death.…read more

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Holy Sonnet 10Also known as `Death be not proud' is full ofcontradictions.Donne talks about the power of death and thendenies it in the next few lines. He then goes onto talk about death as a middle stage, somethingwe all have to go through to meet our creator.God.…read more

Slide 5

Holy Sonnet 10The speaker points out how death is feared by many but is in reality not `mightyand dreadful'. Death is just like sleep, a physical pleasure. (this can cause us to Death, be not proud, though somequestion why a religious man would refer to death as pleasurable) have called theeIn the context of the eta, the word `yet' can be read in two ways, `not yet can you Mighty and dreadful, for thou artkill me' Donne acknowledges death is inevitable or `you can't even kill me' Donne not so ;makes fun of death. Also it links with immortality, the soul is known to be immortal For those, whom thou think'st thouand can never be killed. dost overthrow,This line is kind of like Billy Joel's `only the good die young'. He is saying that the Die not, poor Death, nor yet canstbest and courageous people know that death is painless, pleasurable and thou kill me.rewarding so they die first. They know the secrets the rest of us don't know, which From rest and sleep, which but thyis why we still live unable to get closer to judgement day. picture[s] be,We are all slaves (so under control of) fate, kings, men. Besides fate, the other Much pleasure, then from thee`masters' are men. This can also hint at the patriarchal society Donne is living in. much more must flow,Men and Kings held all the power, Kings were known to be God's chosen leader of And soonest our best men withthe nations. Kings have the power to end or save another's life just as God does, it thee do go,is not death itself that has the power to take or give life. It has to follow orders. Rest of their bones, and soul'sThe speaker is mocking death here, accusing him of hanging out with lowlifes such delivery.as drugs (poison) war (greed) and sickness. Thou'rt slave to Fate, chance, kings,He likens death to opium, a drug that was very popular in the 17th century and and desperate men,didn't take a lot of nerve to try it even though it brought death closer. He's trying And dost with poison, war, andto say that to confront death you don't need much courage. sickness dwell,Could the speaker possibly be taking a brave and courageous stance against death And poppy, or charms can make usto mask their own fear of the afterlife? They are also very sure of themselves, sleep as well,claiming that death is simply like a short nap before they wake up to eternal And better than thy stroke ; whyfreedom. They are also saying that they have been a very good person/Christian so swell'st thou then ?they will definitely wake up to heaven and not hell. One short sleep past, we wake eternally,Ironically, the speaker claims that death can be destroyed but only by death itself. And Death shall be no moreOnce a person has died and gone onto the afterlife, death itself has died. It is no ; Death, thou shalt die.longer a part of their existence. It can be said that there is a sense of cockiness inthe speakers statement. They are mocking death's power, saying that death will dieanyways even if it kills them. So no one wins in the end but them because they willbe waking eternally.…read more

Slide 6

Holy Sonnet 17Also known as `Since she whom I loved' This poem wasmajorly influenced by Donne's wife Anne's death in 1617.Once again he presents his belief of death as a meretransitory stage between the earthly and eternal life, andappears to be resigned to his fate.He states that her death has been beneficial, since it hasallowed her to join God in the afterlife whilst freeing himfrom earthly concerns.Therefore, Donne profits from her death since he is ableto concentrate his thoughts and love on God. Byascending to the skies, Anne ceases to be competitionagainst the higher being for Donne's affection.…read more